The What and Why of FSC®

The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) is an international non-profit organisation that promotes responsible management of the world's forests and was founded in 1993 in response to concerns about deforestation, habitat destruction, and social conflicts related to forest management practices.

FSC Chain of Custody Certification means that A Local Printer upholds strict protection for workers’ rights throughout our supply chain. Independent third-party evaluations confirm that we meet FSC’s core labour requirements, which means we do not use child or forced labour, do not discriminate, and respect and uphold the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining. 

The FSC Chain of Custody (CoC) certification is a system that tracks the flow of FSC-certified materials through the production process, from the forest to the final product, thus maintaining the integrity of the certification throughout the supply chain. The 'Chain of Custody' is the process by which the source of a timber product is verified. Certification involves inspection and auditing of the land from which the timber and pulpwood originate, and tracking it through all the steps of the production process until it reaches the end user. By becoming certified with the FSC Chain of Custody we are demonstrating our commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship.

Benefits of FSC Paper

The FSC  system promotes the conservation of biodiversity in certified forests. FSC pioneered the concept of High Conservation Values (HCVs) and requires their conservation. These include habitats for rare, threatened, or endangered species, critical ecosystem services, and community needs and cultural values. Independent,  peer-reviewed studies show that FSC-certified forests support greater plant and mammal diversity than uncertified, logged forests. 

Environmental Responsibility

 FSC certification shows a commitment to sourcing wood products from responsibly managed forests and supporting sustainable forest management practices. FSC-certified forests are replanted and maintained for future generations.

Sustainability Benefits of FSC

Preservation of Forest Ecosystems: Promoting responsible forest management practices that prioritise the preservation of ecosystems; protecting biodiversity, conserving wildlife habitats, and maintaining the ecological balance of forests.

Mitigation of Climate Change: By encouraging sustainable forest management which helps to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in trees and soil, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Conservation of Endangered Species: Through the conservation of ecosystems within certified forests, the habitats of endangered and threatened species are protected.

Social Impact

FSC standards for responsible forest management support healthy ecosystems and help protect the rights of workers, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. Behind these standards is a rigorous, multi-stakeholder process, balancing environmental, social, and economic interests.

For A Local Printer, being certified with FSC is tangible way for us support and deliver environmental awareness through the principles of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical business practices.